UNIT 12. Conditionals

Type 0 conditionals are used to express a general truth or a scientific fact. In this type of conditional we can use when instead of if.

If/when + present simple -> present simple

If/When you mix red and yellow paint, you get orange.

If it is no longer a fact we use the past tense:

When I was a child, if I helped my mother, she gave me extra pocket money.

Type 1 conditionals are used to express a real or very probable situation in the present or future.

If + present simple….+ future simple, imperative, can/must/may/etc + bare infinitive

If he works hard, he will/might/etc get a promotion.

When the hypothesis comes before the main clause, we separate the two parts with a comma. When the main clause comes before the if-clause, then we do not use a comma to separate them.

Note: With type 1 conditionals we can use unless + affirmative verb (= if + negative verb). He will not be able to finish his homework unless Fred gives him a hand. (= if Fred does not give him a hand.)

Conditionals:Types 2 and 3

• Conditionals Type 2 ( unreal present) are used to express imaginary situations which are contrary to facts in the present, and, therefore, are unlikely to happen in the present or the future. We can use either were or was for 1st and 3rd person singular in the if-clause.

We can also use the structure If I were you,... to give advice.

If + past simple/ past continuous… would/could/might + bare present infinitive

If I spoke their language, I would know what they were talking about.

If Richard was playing today we would have a better chance of scoring.

If I were you, I would apologise to her. (advice)

Wishes

We can use wish /if only to express a wish.

+ past simple/ past continuous	· I wish I was at home now. (but I'm not) · If only I were going to the wedding. (but I'm not)	To say that we would like something to be different about a present situation.
+ past perfect	· I wish I had called him earlier, (but I didn't) · If only they hadn't broken up. (but they did)	To express regret about something which happens: or didn't happen in the per
+ subject + would + bare inf.	· I wish you wouldn't behave so rudely. · If only it would stop snowing.	To express: · a polite imperative. · a desire for a situation or person's behaviour to change.

Note: If only is used in exactly the same way as wish but it is more emphatic or more dramatic.

We can use were instead of was after wish and if only.

I wish I were/was on holiday now.